- Simxolele Zitshu (31) was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Gqeberha Physiotherapist, Marolien Schmidt, in her Richmond Hill home on Womensday, August 9 this year.
- It was stated in court that Zitshu has a previous conviction for murder and robbery in 2011 for a crime committed in 2008. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison for this. He has a 10-year old daughter who lives with her mother.
- Zitshu later sold Marolien Schmidt’s Samsung Galaxy S21 valued at R20 000 for R600.
Simxolele Zitshu (31) was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Gqeberha Physiotherapist, Marolien Schmidt, in her Richmond Hill home on Womensday, August 9 this year.
READ | Simxolele Zitshu pleads guilty to murdering Marolien Schmidt
He pleaded guilty to murdering Marolien in the Gqeberha High Court today, October 11. He was sentenced to 8 years for house breaking with an intent to steal, 20 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances , and to a life sentence for her murder.
Marolien’s mother, Sineke Schmidt, brother, Casper, and friend Rebecca Gatangi attended the proceedings.
In court proceedings it was revealed how Marolien fought for her life when she was attacked by Zitshu in the early hours of the morning.
In a statement read out to court by his legal representative, Johan van der Spuy, Zitshu said that he broke into her house, thinking the house was empty. When he was trying to remove her flatscreen television, he saw a light go on in the house and Marolien coming down the stairs towards him.
She had her cellphone, a Samsung Galaxy S21, in her hand.
According to his statement, he got scared as he didn’t think there was anyone in the house. She was screaming and attacked him. He said she was strong and getting the better of him. He then took a knife from his pocket and stabbed her. He stabbed her several times. She stopped struggling and, because he was scared that people heard her screams, he escaped from the house. He later sold the phone for R600.
After the statement was read into court Judge Mandela Makaula found him guilty and asked him if is true that he took such a valuable life for a mere R600. He said yes. Marolien’s mom, brother and friend started crying during this question and court had to be adjourned for a few minutes.
It was stated in court that Zitshu has a previous conviction for murder and robbery in 2011 for a crime committed in 2008. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison for this. He has a 10-year old daughter who lives with her mother.
He said it was his intention to steal items to sell for food and drugs. He said he was hoping to change his ways while in prison.
After that judge Makaula said in his sentencing, that the interest of the community far outweighed Zitshu’s personal circumstances.
ICYMI | Editorial Comment – The Story behind the Story
Sineke Schmidt said to reporters no matter what the sentence, it will not bring her daughter back. “He doesn’t even think about what life is worth”. Becky, who was her friend and triathlon training partner, said she is completely shattered and that she wishes him a “very painful death” one day.
